You can cover quite a bit of South Korea in 2 weeks if you follow this travel itinerary, which is how we spent our time in South Korea!
We started from the east, exploring the historical city of Gyeongju, then took the train to Busan followed by a day in the unknown city of Mokpo to take the ferry to Jeju Island, before ending in the capital city of Seoul.
If you’re wondering if 2 weeks in South Korea is enough, I can assure you that we felt like we saw a lot without feeling rushed.
This itinerary covers both the north and south of the country, plus an island, giving you a great overview of what Korea has to offer. So, here’s your 14-day itinerary for South Korea, visiting this beautiful country.
How to get to South Korea
If you wanna go to South Korea you are most likely flying into the country as it is located on a peninsula near the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. There are two ways to arrive there that we know of:
Ferry from Fukuoka Japan
Just 2 ferry companies run this route:
JR Queen Beetle: This leaves Fukuoka at 09:00 every day – takes 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Camelia Line: Which leaves Fukuoka (Hakata) at 12:30 – and takes 6 hours.
Flying
If you didn’t know, Seoul is one of the busiest terminals in the world, in our case we took a flight from Ho Chi Min (Saigon) city which took 5 hours. We flew with a new Korean airline called Air Premia, a budget hybrid service carrier. The flight was very smooth and we were surprised with leg room being bigger than the average of any other airline we’ve been on. And the services and food on board was definitely worth the prices.
Search for flights with Kiwi:
Day 1-4: Gyeongju
Start your 2 weeks travel in South Korea in historical Gyeongju, located on the east coast, only 2 hours from Seoul by train.
Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Dynasty and also, believe it or not, was the 4th biggest city in the world. This city is full of history! So much that you can see it everywhere you walk around. It is even an UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. That’s why is called the “museum without walls”.
There are so many things to do in Gyeongju because of its rich history. Having 2 full days here is recommended to visiting the ancient wonders and dive into South Korea’s history. We have also included a map with all the must-see spots and places to eat.
This was our favourite city in South Korea and if you want to know more about this city, we have a dedicated blog about it – Gyeongju: South Korea’s Hidden Gem.
Day 4-7: Busan
Located just 30 minutes by speed train from Gyeongju, Busan is South Korea’s second-biggest city. During our 2 days here we had planned to visit many attractions, but everything is very far apart and it takes a long time to transport from one place to another. Which is why we are recommending to spend 3 days.
Where to stay in Busan
Since Busan is s a big city where you need transportation to go almost everywhere, we decided to stay near the train station which is the main hub for transportation.
We stayed at MIHOJAE Busan Station very convenient location with big size rooms and free washing machine with detergent, also it has a rooftop where you can hang your clothes and enjoy the view and a beer.
Things To Do in Busan
As we mentioned before going from one place to another may take you a while, that’s why we recommend taking the metro or bus.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
Most Korean temples are up in the mountains, giving you peace and amazing views of life below. Haedong Temple is different. It sits by the sea, offering a cool view of the deep blue ocean instead of the countryside.
People love Haedong for its awesome views and old-style buildings. It’s one of the few temples you can find by the coast. Some folks even come here super early to catch the sunrise since the temple opens at 5 am!
Gamcheon Village
We then went to visit Gamcheon Village. One of the busiest places in the city and tends to fill up quickly around lunchtime, especially on weekends. To beat the crowds, it’s best to visit early in the day.
Highly recommend going here when you are in Busan. Instead of just taking the bus here to take the iconic photo of the village, we recommend buying the map and walk the trail around the village. It is a very beautiful walk that takes about 2 hours. With the map, you can collect stamps from various stops marked on the map to keep as a souvenir.
Where to eat in Busan
Busan as a big city and got plenty option when it comes to restaurants, we went to visit few of them and would like to share them with you.
Mexicana Fried Chicken
We know it sounds like some brand from Central America, but it’s not, they served the best crispy fried chicken we tried in our entire trip. They have many fried chicken options on the menu. If you are in Busan and see this brand on the street, we recommend you give it a try.
The Three Monkeys
This place was very special for us. We went to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the manager was very helpful in finding the stream to watch the game. We do recommend it to give try they serve very good food and big variety of drinks. A big shout for the owner who gave us a great hospitality sharing that cultural experience that Koreans are known for.
Day 7-8: Mokpo
Mokpo is located in the south-west of the country. Because it was a weekend and summer holidays when we were here, we couldn’t find any bus that goes directly to Mokpo, instead, we took the train which takes 5.5 hours and is not direct. We paid 60 USD per person.
Travel Tip: How to buy train tickets in South Korea
You cannot purchase tickets with a foreign credit or debit card online in South Korea, they only accept local bank cards. So to buy train and bus tickets, you will need to visit a ticketing office. If you are planning to travel during the weekend, high season, or a local holiday, we recommend visiting the ticketing office in advance to buy your tickets (1 or 2 days before). We did not do that and it was Sunday and South Korea summer holiday so all trains and buses were fully booked the day we planned to go from Busan to Mokpo.
Why Mokpo? This is where you can take the ferry from the mainland to Jeju Island. But when we arrived to Mokpo there was no ferry to Jeju Island because it only departs early in the morning, so we had to stay here one night. Same as with the train tickets, if you don’t have a local bank card, you will need to visit the ticketing office to buy your tickets. Luckily, they still had availability when we came here, but economy tickets were sold out.
To be honest, Mokpo is not a touristic destination and there is not much to do here. We walked around the coastal walk and strolled the streets of the city.
Day 8-11: Jeju Island
Jeju Island was one of the highlights of our South Korea trip, there are many things to do and see around the island. From Unesco Heritage sites, to lava caves and stunning mountain walks. If you come to South Korea better give to this island plenty of time to explore.
How to get to Jeju Island
Many flights come from Seoul, but in our case, we took the ferry which took 4 hours and cost 54 USD for a bed in a multi-bedroom where you get a private bunker bed with curtains, and there are also cheaper options like a room where you can sit on the floor for half the price. But it is good to have a place where you can leave your bag.
The ferry is not only big and comfortable, but it also has a massage room, cafe, game room and even a Seven-Eleven shop, it was a pretty comfortable ride from Mokpo to Jeju Island.
How to get around Jeju Island
The island is big so getting around could be a problem, in our case we decided to rent a car for 68 USD per day during our 3 days visit, including full insurance coverage. You need to have an international driving permit printed to rent a car here. Remember to download Naver Maps as Google Maps does not fully work here.
We do recommend checking the deals at Airport Rentals, they offer a list comparing all the cars available in any city at the time, giving you the best value for money options.
The other options is to go around the island with the bus. We read online that there is a bus service, but we didn’t try it so we cannot give our recommendation on this.
Things to do in Jeju Island
There’s so much to check out on Jeju Island – Mountains, Coastlines, Museums, and Waterfalls, just to name a few. We are going to share with you our favourites activities in Jeju Island.
Manjanggul Lava Tube
On our way to our first destination on the east coast, we stop at Manjanggul Lava Tube. Stretching over 8km, it is the 12th-longest lava tube in the world and the second longest on Jeju Island.
It costs 3 USD to enter, and is a walk through the volcanic tunnel to the largest known lava column in the world, reaching 7.6 meters, then walk back. It was a nice stop, but maybe not worth the time in our opinion. Recently we have read online that this tube is currently closed until August 2025.
Seongsan Ilchulbong
About 45 minutes from Jeju City, is our first destination, Seongsan, located on the east side of the island. Our main goal here was to visit Seongsan Ilchulbong, also known as Sunrise Peak, a cone formed by volcanic eruptions 5,000 years ago. Keep in mind the entrance is 4 USD, you can buy ticket in a machine on site.
Walk to not be missed
Distance: 1.8 km the entire loop
Track: Very well maintained, easy to access, mostly stairs
Level: Easy to moderate
Price: 4 USD
Seogwipo Swimming Holes
Our next stop is Seogwipo, in the south of the island, another 45 minutes drive from Seongsan. Here we went to a park where you can go for a swim in natural pools, but due to the windy weather, the pools were closed. But the coast here is so beautiful.
Hallasan Mountain
Hallasan Mountain on Jeju is South Korea’s tallest peak, reaching a height of 1,950 meters. If you’re heading to Jeju, don’t miss the chance to hike up Hallasan Mountain – it’s a must-do for your itinerary!
Hallasan used to be an active volcano until around 25,000 years ago, but it hasn’t erupted since 1007.
Jeju is known for its abundance of lava tunnels, totalling 42 kilometres in length. This unique feature earned the island and its tunnels UNESCO World Heritage status in 2007. Among the many lava tunnels, Manjanggul cave is the most popular and definitely worth a visit (we spoke about this in the other activities to do in Jeju Island).
There are 4 main trails to hike on Hallasan Mountain, out of which only 2 reach its peak
We did the Yeongsil track, one of the easiest ones. The track starts in the woods surrounded by small streams and exotic beautiful trees.
After about a kilometre up, the forest starts to disappear to finally have a first look at Hallasan Mountain, if you are lucky during this trail to the top you might be able to see deers wondering around the valleys.
After all, it’s a great and easy hike. If you want to train before tackling the tougher hikes to the summit, Yeongsil is a great start. Make sure to bring enough water and snacks with you as it can be a long day, also bring long sleeves even during summer as the top of the mountain gets very cold.
Walk not to be missed
Distance: 3.7 kilometres (one way).
Track: Very well maintained, but very steep at the time, there are many stops to rest on the way.
Level: One of the easiest hikes in Hallasan, but don’t be fooled by that, it is 1.7 km uphill.
What to eat in Jeju
As we keep mentioning in this blog, South Korean cuisine is phenomenal! If you are on Jeju Island you can’t miss the Black Pork. In this case we are not going to recommend a specific place as all the places we went were great. It is a unique experience and food that can only be found in Jeju Island.
Where to stay in Jeju
Seongsan
We stayed at Cordelia S Hotel, located within a short drive from Seongsan Ilchulbong. This hotel has big rooms, a pool, and free parking outside.
Seogwipo
We stayed at Hotel Zinc, located walking distance from the city, and a big park with a waterfall. They also have free parking underground.
We only recommend hotels that we have personally stayed at and can recommend to other travellers.
Day 11-14: Seoul
We decided to leave Seoul for the end, as you are aware Seoul is South Korea’s capital city. We flew with Jeju Air from Jeju Island to Seoul booked through Kiwi. This is actually the busiest air route in the world with flights leaving on average every 15 minutes between Seoul and Jeju!
Seoul strikes the perfect balance – it’s sizable yet not overwhelming, offering plenty to see and do without leaving you feeling rushed. It effortlessly blends modernity with tradition, providing a cool and contemporary atmosphere while still honouring its heritage. Plus, with a fantastic metro system in place, getting around the city is a breeze!
Things to do in Seoul
There are many things to do in Seoul, but keep in mind is the biggest city in South Korea, however, Seoul’s public transport is very effective so it is both easy and cheap to get around.
Watch a football game
Believe it or not, football is big in South Korea, and fans are very enthusiastic and passionate about the sport we had the chance to assist in 2 different games during the weekend.
If you remember the FIFA World Cup 2002 was in South Korea and Japan, the stadiums are still top-notch with high technology and even malls, cinemas, and restaurants inside.
Visit Gyeongbokgung palace
Seoul boasts five royal palaces, but Gyeongbokgung Palace stands out as the main residence during the Joseon Dynasty. It is the largest of the Korean palaces and served as the home for the kings of that era. A top attraction in Seoul, Gyeongbokgung is a must-visit for first-time visitors to the city. Visitors can rent costumes from a shop across the street to fully immerse themselves in the history (and to take photos for Instagram).
Visiting the palace gives you a peek into the country’s history and traditions, which we think is pretty important when you’re exploring a new place. What really stands out about the Korean palace is how its old-style buildings contrast with the modern city of Seoul. Once you step inside, it feels like you’ve traveled back in time, even though you’re right in the middle of a busy city.
We bought an audiobook for 5 USD per person including the entrance fee with that you get to listen and understand all the history surrounding it. We learn few things and will share it with you.
The palace was originally constructed in 1395 and served as the main palace during the Joseon Dynasty. However, it was tragically destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War) from 1592 to 1598. After lying abandoned for two centuries, efforts to restore the palace began in 1867 under the leadership of Regent Heungseon Daewongun. According to the official records, this ambitious restoration project involved rebuilding a staggering 500 buildings on a sprawling site spanning over 40 hectares.
Sadly, the palace faced destruction once more in the 20th century during Japan’s colonisation of Korea. In 1915, the Japanese demolished over 90% of its buildings. However, after Korea’s liberation from Japan following WWII, efforts to restore Gyeongbokgung began in 1990. Today, restoration work continues as part of ongoing efforts to preserve this important cultural heritage site.
Seoul Nightlife
Seoul has one of the best nightlife in the world, we went to check out Itaewon, one of the popular areas for bars and night clubs. As we like electronic and techno music, we went to a club called The Shelter. They have local DJs playing until 7 am. Let’s just say that we came back to our hotel very late (or early the next day) and woke up with a hangover.
What to eat in Seoul
Seoul has in infinite amount of restaurants and dishes to try and we had so little time. We absolutely love the food here in South Korea, not only the local dishes, but also how they have interpreted international cuisines. Don’t miss out on trying some of these.
King Crab
We tried the famous King Crab, something expensive and hard to get in other parts of the world. They choose a 1.8 kg crab for us, cooked it and served the meat with rice inside the opened shell. It was also served with 8 side dishes. Wow. What an experience and feast this was. Unfortunately, we have forgotten the name of this place.
Myeongdong Pizza
Pizza isn’t Korean, but the cheesy pizza at Myeongdong Pizza served with garlic butter and honey is the best pizza we have ever had. You must try this when you are here.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s, really? Yes! We like to try the McDonald’s in every country we go to and South Korea still has one of the best McDonald’s in the world with a unique selection. Forget Big Mac and Cheeseburgers, try the Shrimp Beef Burger or the Green Onion Cream Croquette burger.
James Cheese Back Ribs
We also tried the famous James Cheese Back Ribs in Meyongdong. We love cheese and pork so this was a perfect combination.
Sushi
Sushi is very common, but we had to share this because it was such a unique experience. You order food by picking the pieces that you want from a board and giving them to the cashier. This way you get to see what you are ordering and there is no paper menu. So cool! Unfortunately, we have forgotten the name of this place.
Where to stay in Seoul
We stayed in Myeongdong area, a shopping district. Accommodation here can be a bit expensive, but we found the best deal on online for Oyo Hostel located in the middle of the shopping street and close to metro.
Conclusion
There you have the 2-week itinerary in South Korea, we hope you guys found this blog very useful for your future travel to South Korea, definitely, a country that we would love to come back and if you guys have some spare time here no worries, South Korea has so much to offer.
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